The top 5 stories in hospitality this week 02/01 - 06/01

Foxlow closure​

Hawksmoor Group is to close its Foxlow restaurant in Stoke Newington​ after admitting it made a 'couple of bad decisions' regarding the site. The venue received a 0 food hygiene rating from the Food Standards Agency in November and was told 'major improvements' were needed. Co-founders Huw Gott and Will Beckett said they were closing the site 'with integrity' and would be paying all suppliers and finding staff jobs at other sites.

Tronc trouble​

Restaurant staff at Harrods are threatening to strike in the latest row over the distribution of service charges.​ Workers are calling for the right to vote on who distributes their tips through the Tronc system after claims that the luxury store has been keeping up to 75 per cent of the service charge.

Restaurant revamp​

Dinner by Heston Blumenthal and Bar Boulud are set for a refurbishment this year as part of a a multi-million-pound overhaul​ of the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park. The hotel, which was built in 1889, will remain open throughout the work while Bar Boulud will relocate to Harrods food hall from 9 January - 12 February.

Kochar to serve best of British​

Indian chef Atul Kochar - the man behind Michelin-starred Benares - is to open his first restaurant serving British cuisine at The Crown Inn hotel in Amersham.​ The venue, called Hawkyns, will open on 15 January with ex-Benares chef Ross Bott heading up the kitchen.

Jamie's Italian closures​

Jamie Oliver is to close six of his Jamie's Italian restaurants​ with the chef blaming rising food and training costs in the wake of the Brexit vote. Around 120 staff will be affected when sites close in Exeter, Aberdeen, Cheltenham, Richmond, Ludgate Hill and Tunbridge Wells within the next few months. Oliver said he was aiming to find workers new roles within the business. 

For a full rundown of this week's news click here.​​